Ranong, a perfect vacation location to start and end your diving cruise holidays!
Ranong, Thailand
Ranong is the most northerly province on Thailand’s Andaman coast, located 568 kilometres from Bangkok. In a mountainous and heavily forested province, Ranong town is also a gateway to Myanmar, with colorful longboats ferrying produce and people across the narrow divide that separates the two countries. Just outside of Ranong town are the famous Ranong hot springs, where an arboretum and various first-class hotels cater to visitors eager to benefit from the medicinal properties of the mineral waters.
Ranong Province, has a number of other distinctive characteristics: The province features sixty-two islands, many fine beaches, unspoiled forests, and refreshing waterfalls, many of which are incorporated in national parks or wildlife sanctuaries.
For diving cruises, Ranong is centrally located between the best dive sites of the west coast hence we can offer as easily short trips to Surin and Similan Islands in Thailand or to Burma.
Want to know more about what to do around Ranong and how to get there?
Ranong Province, a paradise off the beaten track...Ranong Province has much to offer to the curious who dare investigate!
Here is a great list of activities to occupy your stay in Ranong. To move the simplest is to rent a scooter, you will find one everywhere in the main street (Ruangrat road), otherwise you have the collective taxis, taxis motorcycles a little rarer or songtails lines.On the land
Ranong Beach
The jungle host many species of animal and birds made accessible to the visitors thanks to lovely path to wander around. And what better than a waterfall to freshen up after a nice walk? Maybe a hot spring? Ranong has it all! The mangroves, on the coast are also alive with wildlife and ideal for a kayak trip. The city of Ranong has the busy atmosphere of a border town and benefit from Chinese influence from the past mixed with the Burmese flavors: colorful markets, women in sarongs, golden make-up on their cheeks, food stalls with new delicacies all along the streets. There are many first class hotels and restaurants, catering mainly to those who come to benefit from the medicinal properties of Ranong's thermal waters. You can also find in Ranong banks and ATM's, massages, golf, casino, and Internet service. Visas can easily be renewed within a day, simply crossing the border by boat from Ranong.
More info on Ranong Province tourism page.
What to do in Ranong, before or after a cruise with us ?
You have finally booked your cruise with us, 6 days, 7 days, 9 days, in Burma aboard our boat, it's great! But if you stay a few more days in Ranong, before or after your cruise, we have concocted a whole list of things to do in the beautiful Ranong region still preserved from mass tourism.1/ Paradise little Islands
Cute island near Ranong
Ranong Province include sixty-two islands with white sand beaches. If you want to lounging on an island paradise, just relax on a white sand beach, alone in the middle of nature, or discover the local Thai town on a small island, we invite you to come and discover the Koh Phayam island and Koh Chang Island. Koh Phayam is truly the undiscovered pearl of the Andaman Sea, just enough development to make your stay comfortable but to keep a long white sand beach for yourself. Imagine a bungalow on the beach, some horn bills and see eagles flying around, clear blue sea, soft sand between your toes, it's the perfect place to really get away from it all. Only 30 minutes boat ride from Ranong, its relaxed atmosphere is sure to seduce you. When you arrive at the Koh Phayam pier, you can rent a scooter in one of the many shops. The local population made of fishermen and friendly cashew nuts farmers, and you might sight some sea gypsies living in the area.Ko Chang is another cute little island near Ranong accessible by speedboat and by ferry from Ranong pier. Not to be confused with the " big Koh Chang" located off the province of Trat. Ko Chang is located close to the Burmese border (ideal for visa runs) and about 5 km off the mainland. This forested little island is relatively undeveloped and low-key, only about 80 families. In summary, this is the perfect place to play the Robinsons and spend a few days disconnected in the middle of nature. There are beautiful beaches, however, this is not the best place to snorkel because of the low visibility.
2/ Ranong hot spring
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This is one of the most popular activities in the Ranong region, the hot springs, are a natural 65 degrees Celsius! Too hot to jump in, but for 40 baht you get access to 4 pools which are all cooled down to different levels, ranging between 20-45 degrees. Or even access the small public baths for free like the locals. This is the most healing hot spring in all of Thailand and apparently the third most healing in the world! It’s become a bit of a pilgrimage for some people so take a dip and judge for yourself. And it’s only 2 km outside town.
3/ Khao Sok national park
Khao Sok
Khao Sok national park is 150 km from Ranong and should be on your bucket list when visiting the area. The Park includes a huge forest and plenty of other activities including the encounter with elephants, canoe rides, botanical walk and night Safari. You can find more details and activities in our page "Khao sok national park".
4/ Ranong Canyon
This is not the largest Canyon in Thailand but the beauty about Ranong Canyon is that you’ll probably have the whole place to yourself. You can go to Ranong Canyon in 25 minutes by scooter. Once on site you can relax on the grass or do as the locals: feed the fish living in this pond... This place is the epitome of peacefulness5/ Sunset at Hat Chan Damri
Hat Chan Damri is located about 10 km from the city, but I recommend you use google-map, as signalisation is more than awful. You can go there during the day to relax on the beach of the hotel (Chansom Thara resort) but stay until early evening to enjoy the beautiful sunset on the pontoon. It’s Burma you see in front of you!6/ Ranong waterfalls
You will find two beautiful waterfalls in the region of Ranong, Punyaban waterfall and Ngao waterfall. If you like waterfalls you will surely appreciate the beauty of these, but if you have seen the most beautiful waterfalls in the world you may be a little disappointed with this one...Ngao waterfall Punyaban waterfall7/ Rattanarangsarn Palace
Rattanarangsarn Palace
Located in the heart of the town of Ranong on the Hill Nives khiri also called historic Hill, the throne Rattana Rangsarn Palace commemorates the Royal Palace built at its peak and where King Rama V stayed when he came to Ranong in 1890. It is now replaced by the town hall building since 2002. There is only one teak building in length with 3 rooms: a furnished room for the King, one for the Queen and a desk decorated with some explanations and historical photos. It is possible to visit the Interior for only 20 bath. The wooden building is located behind a square in the Park, where many tourists and locals take pictures in front of this House. If you come on a weekday evening you may have the chance to attend traditional Thai dance classes or aerobics training!
8/ Ranong Temples
Wat Baan Ngao
There are several pretty temples to visit (free) all around the city. Wat na Muang, the oldest (built more than a century ago) is a small temple with a 10-metre-high Burmese-style Chedi that is the only curiosity, as well as a beautifully decorated standing Buddha statue and a belfry adorned with a feline motif. Wat Baan Ngao is another pretty Temple, much newer in front of the waterfall of the same name. If you are brave you can climb the temple Hill and on which you will find beautiful buddhist bells...
Wat Baan Ngao Wat na Muang
